The best things to do in Palm Desert

Date Palm Country Club offers a fun, affordable round with a course that welcomes golfers of all skill levels, plus scenic views and the option to walk. The Pro Shop is a handy starting point for locals looking to get out for a game without making a whole production of it.

From the Cathedral City newsletter, November 10, 2026

Open since 1938, Moorten Botanical Garden is a living desert museum where 3,000-plus species, glittering rocks, fossils, and the world’s first Cactarium make for an oddly soothing wander. Bonus for locals, the on-site nursery lets you bring home a well-behaved spiky souvenir.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, September 13, 2026

Desert Princess Resort & Club keeps it local with an immaculately groomed 27-hole championship layout designed by David Rainville, wide forgiving fairways, Tifdwarf Bermuda greens, and San Jacinto views, plus instruction and on-site dining when you want a round that feels both challenging and actually fun.

From the Cathedral City newsletter, November 4, 2026

If you want a round with San Jacinto peaks in view and actual water to think about, Mission Hills North Golf Course delivers a Gary Player Signature layout with wide fairways, few blind shots, and lakes on 10 holes. Finish up at the clubhouse’s Lakeside Grill for an easy post round bite.

From the Cathedral City newsletter, October 18, 2026

Riverside’s Victoria Club has been doing it since 1903, quietly nailing the balance of play and unwind: an 18-hole course that stays interesting, tennis and pickleball, a proper pool scene, and legit dining for the post-match debrief. If you’ve been club-curious, this week’s a good time to peek via a tour.

From the Riverside newsletter, November 1, 2026

Canyon Crest Country Club pairs a challenging 18-hole course with The Overlook Bar & Grill, where the clubhouse setting comes with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and greens. It’s open to the public, making it an easy Riverside pick for a round, a meal, or planning a private event.

From the Riverside newsletter, November 3, 2026

A. and California Collectives to zine workshops that dust off your inner maker. Perfect Redlands reset when you need fresh visuals and a little spark.

From the Riverside newsletter, October 14, 2026

Seven Lakes Golf & Country Club pairs a golf course and restaurant with a private, mid-century modern community in Palm Springs. It’s membership-only, so it’s a good one to keep in mind if you’re looking for a club experience close to home.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, September 18, 2026

Woodhaven Country Club keeps it fun, fast, and fair on a friendly par-70, 18-hole layout with wide fairways, firm turf, and just enough bunkers to keep you honest. Open to the public, it’s the easy local pick for a quick round then a laid-back hang at The Vista Lounge.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, September 29, 2026

Shadow Mountain Golf Course keeps things fun for locals with its 18-hole Let's Flamingo putting course, a wild, hilly green that can play easy or tricky, plus classic rounds that wind among modern architecture. Finish at Birdy Bar & Grill, or sneak in some swings on the golf simulator.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, September 16, 2026

Palm Desert Aquatic Center offers lap swimming, water exercise classes, swim lessons for all ages, and plenty of poolside fun, including slides and a splash playground.

From the Coachella Valley newsletter, November 3, 2026

The Oasis Country Club packs a breezy 60-par executive course threading past sparkling lakes, a Ted Robinson 18-hole putting course, and lighted tennis and pickleball courts for when the sun’s feeling extra.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, October 26, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Whether you're craving a laid-back round with beautiful desert vistas or a course that sneaks in just enough challenge to keep things fun, The O'Donnell Golf Club is a private, members-only spot in downtown Palm Springs now accepting golf and social applications. Bob Hope played here for over forty years...

From the Palm Springs newsletter, October 22, 2026

, a lively tennis and pickleball scene, interest groups from hiking and biking to book club, plus great clubhouse dining when you’re done playing.

From the Coachella Valley newsletter, October 29, 2026

Nicklaus Design vibes, mountain views that photobomb your backswing and a Mid Century Modern clubhouse make Escena Golf Club the rare local hang to hit this week, where you can play a public round then linger at Escena Grill for California cuisine and patio time. Also, it was voted Best Public Course in Palm Springs.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, October 15, 2026

Nick Faldo’s layout at Marriott's Shadow Ridge Golf Club pairs generous fairways with bold bunkers and postcard Santa Rosa views. Sneak in serious practice time, book a lesson at the Leadbetter Golf Academy, then high-five your round over something good at Giuseppe’s.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, October 12, 2026

Locals head to The Golf Center at Palm Desert for real tune-ups, with a large two-sided, night lighted range, quality practice balls, chipping greens, a practice bunker and a putting green, and a 9-hole par-3 that keeps wedges honest. PGA pro instruction and First Tee – Coachella Valley give it a true community feel.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, November 9, 2026

Make Camelot Theatres your midweek reset, with art, foreign and indie films plus curated series like the Elizabeth Taylor Retrospective, Baby Boomer Blockbusters and Musical Matinees. It scratches the classic-cinema itch, finds you something new, and lets popcorn completely qualify as dinner.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, September 25, 2026

With mountain views and a course the SCPGA lists among its top 10, Desert Falls Country Club is a worthy excuse to sneak in a weekday round. Hit it, quit it, then slide into the club’s easygoing social scene for a well-earned catch up.

From the Coachella Valley newsletter, October 8, 2026

Need an easy, zero-planning reset this week? Boomers Palm Springs has you zipping go-karts, sinking putts on mini golf, bumping boats, scaling a rock wall, taking swings in batting cages, then cooling off in the arcade... basically instant kid energy for grown-ups too.

From the Cathedral City newsletter, October 21, 2026

Public Art "Music" is a polished chrome and steel sculpture by Leonardo Nierman at the McCallum Theatre courtyard, a sleek 10-foot twist set within a reflecting pool that throws back desert light. Slip in for a two-minute pause and let the curves do the calming.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, October 23, 2026

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

Whether your queue is stale or you just want something different, Festival Theaters Palm Springs keeps it lively with an eclectic lineup from offbeat indies to culty crowd-pleasers like Coyote Vs. Acme and The Dog Stars, plus plenty of showtimes that fit around actual local schedules.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, November 6, 2026

With panoramic Santa Rosa and San Jacinto views, Palm Desert Resort Country Club is a Joe Mulleneaux-designed 18-hole championship playground where you can book a tee time, rally on pickleball or tennis, then linger over bites at the clubhouse or the Roadrunner café.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, October 19, 2026

Give yourself a quick hit of hometown nostalgia with Forever Marilyn, the 26-foot Seward Johnson sculpture inspired by Bernard of Hollywood’s iconic The Seven Year Itch photo.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, October 29, 2026

SilverRock Resort brings an Arnold Palmer Classic Course stretching 7,239 yards across 200 scenic acres, with the Santa Rosa Mountains backdrop, massive native bunkers, shimmering water features, and a legit practice area.

From the Coachella Valley newsletter, September 18, 2026

Whether you’re running errands or dodging the heat, the "Woman In Glasses" Mural delivers a punchy color blast and local attitude. Created by LA street artists James Haunt and Zes MSK, it’s a two-minute detour that makes your day feel 20% brighter.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, October 8, 2026

Desert Willow Golf Resort gives locals two distinct moods, with the newly renovated, bunker-studded Firecliff for precision junkies and the more forgiving Mountain View when you just want a scenic stroll. Warm up at the Palm Desert Golf Academy, then linger over California cuisine at The Terrace Restaurant.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, September 22, 2026

Whether you're hunting a one-of-a-kind piece or just need a creative reset, Backstreet Art District lines up working studios and galleries with paintings, ceramics, photography, mixed media, jewelry and more. Pop in, chat with artists, and find something that actually vibes with your home this week.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, October 2, 2026

BIGHORN Golf Club pairs golf with fine dining and spa and wellness offerings, making it a club experience with plenty beyond the fairways. Palm Desert locals curious about membership can explore what the club brings together, from a relaxing reset to a meal worth lingering over.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, October 11, 2026

Need a golf win this week? S. Golf School plus private instruction, clinics and custom club fitting can quickly tune up your game.

From the Cathedral City newsletter, October 27, 2026

Whether you need a midweek reset or an excuse to flex that new wedge, PGA WEST Pete Dye Mountain Course delivers playability with teeth... pot bunkers, rock outcrops, elevated tees and well-bunkered greens tucked against the Santa Rosa Mountains, all open to everyday players.

From the Coachella Valley newsletter, October 22, 2026

Public Art "Peace Memorial" gives you a quick, midweek reset between errands in the valley, no reservation required. Slip by for two calm minutes that somehow stretch time, let the noise drop and your shoulders unclench, a gentle reminder that slowing down actually helps you get more done.

From the Palm Desert newsletter, October 4, 2026

Skip the couch and catch first-run Hollywood films in comfy recliner seating while you demolish house-made ice cream or a hand-crafted pizza, plus beer and wine. Mary Pickford Is D'Place also sprinkles in ScreenX, D-Box and 3D showings, so your weeknight escape actually feels like one.

From the Cathedral City newsletter, October 14, 2026

Two championship tracks at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort deliver smooth, true-rolling greens and San Jacinto views that make a pushed 7-iron feel poetic. Line up a public tee time this week, rally the usual foursome, and let the first tee reset your brain better than any inbox zero ever could.

From the Palm Springs newsletter, August 22, 2026

Arnold Palmer-designed Classic Club pairs tournament-level fairways, slate bridge views, and cascading-waterfall vibes with a clubhouse you’ll actually want to linger in, plus Bellatrix Restaurant for the post-round debrief.

From the Coachella Valley newsletter, November 10, 2026